The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-02-04
OUR SEALS AND COINS,
A PROTEST AGAINST NATIONAL OUT
RACES UPON HERALDlC ART.

| "Se0 OVON V6VNlSS NVl'
Tho Objections OF u Venerable Designer.
His Rcnsons why-The nald.Headcd
Eagle In His Absurd Poses-An Appro.
pirate Device.
~. Goldsborough Bruff" as he signs
himself has invited the attention of con-
gress to tho unprecedented Irregularities
and "absurdities' of the heraldic devices
adopted for seals and coins by this go ,e.r.-
mept.
Mr.. Bruh explains that owing to a lack
of knowledge this government mado false
start. Tho art of heraldry was unknown
In this country s infancy, he says, and stand
ard works were unattainable "In conse-
quence thereof the new republic was unable
to obtain a proper device for It's national
signet until July 20, 1882, and the device
then adopted Of admirable symbolism, Is a
baseless fabric, not being blazoned upon an
escutcheon or shield, and hence we have
never had national escutcheon Of hersdic
arms, unprecedented In the annals of her.
aldry. Being thus deprived Of that basis
the requisite Of all heraldc achievements
tho government utilized subcharge of the
arms proper, and as popularity den6minated
the national shield or escutcheon, which it
Is not nor ever can be-"
Having no genuine escutcheon no basis
or standard to start with, this government
has gradually collected an accumulation Of
designs which Mr.. Bruff characterizcs as
ranging from Indifferent and peculiar to
absurd" He goes on to say:
SA1 nations Of the CviliZad wO,.11 w
our own have enstamped upon their gold
and silver coinage tho true heraldic arms of
their individual sovereignty, and with strict
numismatic propriety exclude irrelevant,
fanciful ideas. 'Vhe American bald eagle
is displayed in every conceivable attitude
and position, and degenerated to numerous
species of the United States mint genius.
FREE AND EASY ART.
"The peculiar style Of distributing tho
elements Of the national arms over the faces
OF the coin, including notices and legends
unregardful of significant propriety, is re-
markable art exhibition Of the genius of our
free institutions. Compare the dignifed
propriety represented In the devices upon
some Of the earlier coinage: Observe, a
classic bust with legend Liberty and re-
verse, the national arms as adopted, which
compare with the handsome female head
flleted Liberty though crowned with
grain, ETC., as if also to represent the god
dess Ceres or Abundance, doubtless multi
fold genius, as the motto overhead would in
innate, E pluribus unum.' Upon close eS-
animation small cap is seem amid the
redundant ringlets apparently falling off.
Reverse, a crucifed eagle Severely dis
played, minus the escutcheon on his breast
or the eagle volant without its appropriate
motto, 'ExcelsiorD. As though disguised
with his vicissitude and general bad treat
ment by the ruling powers he has discarded
his shield Of the Union, olive branch and
three arrows typical we suppose of thirteen)
and ascends to the starry regions of purity
and truth. (The square, heavy perspective
is good, but why extend his legs, as storks
and herons dor
THE MAD EAGLE.
sin another issue an earaged eagle has
discovered the discarded American shield
PROSTATE in the weeds, and having picked
up the arrows and branchpounces upon the
debased escutcheon, defiantE warning off
the despoilers. Notices become legends,
and legends notices. The Goddess of lib
erty, duly labeled, rests hersef upon rock,
with staff and cap and estutcheon, but
looks back apprehensive of fome mishap.
This is, another phase Of ,thIaxers varvi,,r |
obSersd Reverse of which lm.y 81 one 7
variety there are several of them of tho |
anne eagle: dexter wing horizontally OK
.ended, and sinister, or left, nearly closed
and vertical, and the usual distribution of |
'tars motto, etc. The latest absurdity, SO |
puritanical, not in keeping with |
The times, unauthorized by enactment, is the |
Gothic legend between the wings Of the cru
,ified eagle of In God we trust.
sour patriotic fathers put their trust in
iod and kept their powder dry. Oliver
Cromwell had engraved upon some bronze
runs Teach us to shower forth thy praise,
}, Lord Too lengthy for our coin, but SO
lpplied more benefcent-in diffusion of
wealth. The most appropriately consistent
leyice for establishment of the coin of our
Ountry would be-obverse: A bust of the
head Of the Father of His Coun-
ry, with motto of Liberty Reverse: The
Precise heraldic arms of the United States
# America, and no other stellar ornament
han the constellation crest, and no other
egcnd than the tltle value and date, and
MOTTO Of arms. Such would be creditable to
ur nationality, and place us among the
most favored nations of Christendom. -